Maybe, just maybe, Kyle Whittingham will start chewing gum with unbridled enthusiasm like Pete Carroll while coaching. Perhaps the winner of the quarterback competition will develop a skillset like that of Russell Wilson. And how about a “Legion of Doom” up on the hill?
Utah receiver Britain Covey sees some similarities with the Seattle Seahawks as the Utes tweak their offense and replace nine starters on defense this season.
“I like to compare us a little bit to the Seahawks,” said Covey, who explained how the NFL franchise has a tradition of being a hard-nosed, smash-mouth kind of team that has always had a great quarterback. “But they’ve been seen as a defensive team most of the time, and now they’ve kind of shifted.”
Covey credited Carroll and Russell of doing a great job in that regard. The Utes, who have many holes to fill on defense, now have more experience on offense.
“I hope that this year we don’t drop off on the defensive end, but I hope people start to see us as an offensive team as well — a team that can put up big numbers and score points,” Covey said. “But Coach Whitt will always be Coach Whitt. And what that means, whatever it takes to win we’re going to do it, whether that’s throw it to the receivers 40 times a game or run the ball 40 times a game.”
Everybody knows that about the program and the coaches, Covey continued.
“So we’re not too worried about breaking out as we are just finding our niche, finding our identity as an offense,” he said.
RUNNIN’ ELSEWHERE: As was reported earlier this week, junior running back T.J. Green has opted to enter the transfer portal.
“He’s looking for an opportunity to, maybe, be able to have more playing time,” Whittingham said. “So you can’t really fault him.”
Green, who is from Chandler, Arizona, redshirted in 2017 and played in 25 games over the past two seasons. He rushed for 258 yards and scored one touchdown over 59 career carries.
Whittingham said Green did everything that was asked and is a great kid.
“So it is bittersweet,” added Whittingham, who expressed hope that Green will find a place to realize his goals. The economics major will earn his degree from the U. in December.
Green was mired behind Devin Brumfield, Jordan Wilmore, Ty Jordan and Micah Bernard in the camp competition to replace the graduated Zack Moss, now with the Buffalo Bills, as Utah’s featured back.
EXTRA POINTS: The departure of Jaylen Dixon has opened up reps behind Covey returning punts. Whittingham said a combination of guys are getting opportunities, including Ty Jordan, Samson Nacua, Money Parks and Clark Phillips III. ... Newcomers Phillips, Sione Fotu, Dalton Kincaid, Jaren Kump, Kamo’i Latu and Nate Ritchie have earned their helmet decals with extraordinary efforts in practice. ... Whittingham said not everyone will get reps in Saturday’s scrimmage as rotations tighten.